Page 19 of The King's Man
Would these brutes ever be capable ofrespect?
I’d fought in battle and spent most of my timeavoidingthem, backing Jann up, only attacking when I could get behind a Neph, or find a stab…
It wasn’t hard to imagine that kind of size and strength turned against me maliciously. That fierce masculinity and lack of respect,takingfrom me.
I shuddered.
I would never underestimate these creatures as enemies. Thank God I’d had a reason to get out of that camp and—
“What’s wrong?” Jann looked over his shoulder, pulling his horse up from a gallop and dropping back, his forehead pinched.
“Nothing, I’m thinking. Ride on,” I called. But he continued to ease back, slow his horse until I caught up. But he was frowning.
“Stop bullshitting, Diadre. We’re only going to succeed if we work together. What are you worrying about? I can see that you’re tense.”
I rolled my eyes, but dropped my horse back to a steady trot. Jann matched our pace with his beast.
“How many of your warriors weren’t in that camp when we battled?” I asked him. “How many were back in the war camp where Melek held Yilan, or are roaming around, not-allied to them? How many live in the city, or are scattered over the Continent and have no hint of what we’re trying to achieve?”
Jann huffed. “Thousands. That’s why it’s so crucial for Melek to establish himself as King. He already carries the bulk of our fighting strength, which in our culture would usually set him up as the future King. But our people have deep, powerful circles in trade, and political strength as well. Ultimately, he’ll have to take dominance in all areas. Until he does the question will remain in many minds.”
I swallowed hard. “All those men… they’re all as big as you? Even the ones who don’t fight?”
He shrugged. “Yes. Most aren’t as strong as the fighters, but I doubt you’d notice the difference between one of us and a merchant. We have a few bloodlines that are finer boned or leaner builds, but in truth… if you’re asking if we are especially large among our people, no. Perhaps fitter, but our men are mighty, Diadre.”
I went cold thinking about that day with Walt and his ability to overpower me—and the way Jann had done so with even more ease. Now we faced this entire people who believed they could justtakewomen.
Even if Melek and Jann had other followers, what would come of their insistence that the men control those urges? Would they even listen?
Who would stop them if they didn’t?
I hadn’t realized I was speaking those thoughts out loud, but Jann answered.
“That’s precisely why I told you to stick close when we’re around other Neph. When we go back to my people, we have tomaintain the façade that I’m taking you. It’s the only way to keep you safe.”
I felt a flash of gratitude—then a surge of hate for it. “Can’t you see how sick that is?”
Jann slowed his horse to a walk. Reluctantly, I matched him. His face was somber… almost stern. “That’s exactly why I take it so seriously. Exactly why I had to be so firm with you. It was never me who thought my people were not a danger to you, Diadre. You were… not seeing clearly.”
“That’s not the point—a woman should be able to walk among men without anticipatingrape.Yet, you say among your people I need only walk around to be taken. How can you live with that?”
His expression went very dark. “I don’t. And don’t ever again assume that I do when you have not spent one day in my company by choice,” he growled, then kicked his horse into a rolling canter.
I was frustrated and afraid… and feeling a little bit guilty because I’d obviously offended him.
But then I remembered that we were talking about anentire peoplewho reproduced through rape and exploitation of slaves.
I wasn’t the bad guy here.
A tiny voice in the back of my head wanted to insist that Jann wasn’t either, but then I remembered how easily he’d taken control.
Could any man whoknewhe had that kind of power really be trusted?
7.A Change in the Wind
~ JANN ~
We’d left the camp too late in the day so weren’t able to locate Jhonas before nightfall. Diadre was willing to keep going in the dark, but I’d walked these Shadows before. I’d have nightmares about that for years.
